Crossroads' ReadVerify Appliance (RVA), offered through IBM as
3222 RV1, provides visibility into the utilization, performance, and
health of the tape drives and media in a tape library environment.
The detailed insight provided by RVA can lead to operational
improvements, such as completing backup jobs on time, minimizing
purchases of unnecessary resources, and preventing premature wear
of over-used resources. RVA collects data directly from the tape drives
and library during data transactions, without impacting the storage
applications. This 1U RVA is rack installable in a
customer supplied rack and includes ReadVerify functionality for the
first 500 tape cartridges in an IBM TS3500 or IBM TS3310
Tape Library. Additional ReadVerify tape capacities
are supported with additional feature codes.

RVA also supports an optional feature called ArchiveVerify which
offers the fully automated ability to verify readability of long-idle
or suspect media, providing an audit trail which could be used for
regulatory compliance policies. The ArchiveVerify
function is available as additional feature codes.

The RVA can be ordered at the time of purchase of new TS3500 or
TS3310 Tape Libraries, for already installed IBM
TS3500 or TS3310 Tape Libraries, or as a standalone solution.

Although the Crossroads ReadVerify Appliance 3222 Model RV1 is
available through IBM, product fulfillment, service, maintenance,
and support will be provided by Crossroads.

ReadVerify enables the RVA to monitor the specified total number
of cartridges situated within the library or libraries.
The cartridge count is not associated with specific
tape bar codes; it is measured by the total number of occupied tape
slots in the library at any given time.

ArchiveVerify enables the RVA to verify the specified number of
tapes within a library. Each unique tape bar code gets associated
with an ArchiveVerify license at initial verification. Any tape can
be verified an unlimited number of times, but once the specified number
of tapes have been verified, then additional ArchiveVerify
features must be ordered to provide the function for more cartridges.

All tape libraries and drives to be monitored must be connected
to a Fibre Channel switch with an available port for the RVA. With
the Fibre Channel switch port accessible to the RVA, both LTO and 3592 tape drives and tape libraries,
including the IBM TS3500
and the IBM TS3310
Tape Libraries can be monitored

Crossroads ReadVerify Appliance, (IBM 3222 RV1), provides a proactive
method for monitoring, validating, and reporting on the performance,
utilization, and health of the tape library environment. The detailed
insight provided by RVA can lead to operational improvements, such
as completing backup jobs on time, minimizing purchases of unnecessary
resources, and preventing premature wear of over-used resources. RVA
collects data directly from the tape drives and library during data
transactions, without impacting the storage applications.

RVA also supports an optional feature called ArchiveVerify which
offers the fully automated ability to verify readability of long-idle
or suspect media, providing an audit trail for regulatory compliance
policies. This 1U ReadVerify Appliance is rack installable in a customer
supplied rack and includes ReadVerify functionality for the first
500 tape cartridges in an IBM TS3500 or IBM TS3310 Tape Library. Additional
ReadVerify tape capacities are supported with additional feature codes.
ArchiveVerify functionality is also available as additional feature
codes. These functionality features can be ordered at time of purchase,
stand alone solution, or for already installed IBM TS3500
or TS3310 Tape Libraries. Although the Crossroads ReadVerify Appliance
3222 Model RV1 is available through IBM, product fulfillment, service,
and maintenance, and support will be provided by Crossroads.

ReadVerify license enables the RVA to monitor the specified total
number of cartridges situated within the library
or libraries. The cartridge count is not associated
with specific tape bar codes, it is measured by the total number of
occupied tape slots in the library at any given time.

ArchiveVerify license enables the RVA to verify the specified total
number of tapes within a library. Each unique tape bar code gets
associated with an ArchiveVerify license at initial verification.
Any tape can be verified an unlimited number of times, but once the
tape is retired, the associated license is consumed.

Accessibility by people with disabilities

A US Section 508 Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)
containing details on accessibility compliance can be requested at

This feature has been previously announced on other machine type
and models, but the description has changed.

Business Partner information

If you are a Direct Reseller - System Reseller acquiring products
from IBM,
you may link directly to Business Partner information for this announcement.
A PartnerWorld® ID
and password are required (use IBM ID).

Title
RVA - Configuration Guide
Description: Provide procedures for config/setup
needed for day-to-day use
RVA - Help Set
Description: Provide task-specific help
RVA - Quick Start Guide
Description: Provide setup/hardware info through
IP setup and UI access; gives instructions on
how to access Config Guide or Online Help
RVA - Release Notes
Description: Release Notes provide information on
a particular release of a Crossroads product that
include, but are not limited to, product enhancement,
known issues, system requirements, and resolved issues.
RVA - Pre-Configuration Worksheet
Description: Complete the form and email to support
at least 4 business hours prior to the scheduled
RVA Remote Configuration.

Crossroads
ReadVerify Appliance remote configuration support provided directly
by Crossroads Systems, Inc. Remote sessions are required to be scheduled
with Crossroads support. For more information, contact their help
desk at

Software requirements

The RVA comes completely installed with operational firmware. Customers
must register their units upon receipt and installation. Customers
can register their units and gain access to product documentation
and firmware updates at

Compatibility

RVA does not interact with storage applications, so a compatibility
matrix for applications is not required.

Limitations

In order for the RVA to collect data, the tape
library or libraries and tape drives must be connected
to the host applications servers via a Fibre Channel SAN switch

There must be an N-port available on the SAN switch for RVA attachment,
and the RVA must be added to the zones, or new zones created, that
includes the devices to be monitored

There must also be 10/100/1000 Ethernet connectivity provided
and an IP address provisioned for the RVA management interface

The RVA will not operate in Fibre Channel environments where the
tape drives are directly attached to the host application servers.
The RVA will not operate in environments that are SCSI-only (no Fibre
Channel)

Crossroads RVA Appliance is not supported for TS3500 logical libraries
being used as the back-end tape storage for the IBM TS7740 Virtualization Engine and 3592 FICON® Tape
Controllers

Planning information

Customer responsibilities

Planning information, including customer responsibilities, physical
planning, and installability is available in the specific product
planning manuals at the following websites

Customer is responsible for registering the product and obtaining
the appropriate license keys from the Crossroads registration site
(register.crossroads.com). You will have access to product documentation
and product firmware updates from the registration
website as well. You may request Crossroads to assist
installing firmware updates; however, you may be charged for that
service.

Cable orders

A fiber optic cable is required for attaching the Crossroads ReadVerify
Appliance to the Fibre Channel switch that is also connected to the
tape drive and the library or libraries to be monitored.
The fiber optic cable must be customer supplied, and must meet specifications
defined by Crossroads Systems.

In many situations, the required lengths and installation of fiber
optic cables will be unique to each customers configuration and facility
specifications. Product support services can provide assistance for
these unique cabling and installation requirements. Refer to Cable orders in the Planning information section or the Crossroads ReadVerify Appliance
(machine type 3222) Sales Manual for a list of cables.

Security, auditability, and control

This product uses the security and auditability features of the
host hardware, software, and application software.

The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation
of security features, administrative procedures, and appropriate controls
in application systems and communications facilities.

IBM Global
Financing

Yes

Warranty period

Crossroads ReadVerify Appliance: One year

Warranty service

Service levels are response-time objectives and are not guaranteed.
The specified level of warranty service may not be available in all
worldwide locations. This product is covered by the following types
of service

24x7 Help Desk with Advanced Hardware Exchange

Crossroads ReadVerify Appliance support and warranty is provided
directly by Crossroads Systems, Inc. For more information, contact
their help desk at

Warranty service upgrades

During the warranty period, warranty service upgrades provide an
enhanced level of 24x7 Help Desk for an additional charge. Service
levels are response-time objectives and are not guaranteed. Contact
Crossroads Systems for additional details.

Crossroads ReadVerify Appliance support and warranty is provided
directly by Crossroads Systems, Inc. For more information, contact
their help desk at

Pricing terms

Prices in the following PDF prices link are suggested list prices
on day of announcement for the U.S. only. They are provided for your
information only. Dealer prices may vary, and prices may also vary
by country. IBM list
price does not include tax or shipping and is subject to change without
notice.

IBM Global Financing

IBM Global
Financing offers competitive financing to credit-qualified customers
to assist them in acquiring IT solutions. Offerings include financing
for IT acquisition, including hardware, software, and services, from
both IBM and
other manufacturers or vendors. Offerings (for all customer segments:
small, medium, and large enterprise), rates, terms, and availability
can vary by country. Contact your local IBM Global Financing organization
or visit

IBM Global
Financing offerings are provided through IBM Credit LLC in the United States,
and other IBM subsidiaries
and divisions worldwide to qualified commercial and government customers.
Rates are based on a customer's credit rating, financing terms, offering
type, equipment type, and options, and may vary by country. Other
restrictions may apply. Rates and offerings are subject to change,
extension, or withdrawal without notice.

Financing solutions from IBM Global Financing can help you stretch your
budget and affordably acquire the new product. But beyond the initial
acquisition, our end-to-end approach to IT management can also help
keep your technologies current, reduce costs, minimize risk, and preserve
your ability to make flexible equipment decisions throughout the entire
technology life cycle.

The Americas Call Centers, our national direct marketing organization,
can add your name to the mailing list for catalogs of IBM products.

Note: Shipments will begin after the planned availability date.

Trademarks

Virtualization Engine is a trademark of IBM Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.

IBM, PartnerWorld, FICON and ibm.com are registered trademarks of IBM Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.

Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

Terms of use

IBM products
and services which are announced and available in your country can
be ordered under the applicable standard agreements, terms, conditions,
and prices in effect at the time. IBM reserves the right to modify
or withdraw this announcement at any time without notice. This announcement
is provided for your information only. Additional
terms of use are located at